Oratio Universalis

By Pope Clement XI

Lord, I believe in Thee: increase my faith. I trust in Thee: strengthen my trust. I love Thee: let me love Thee more and more. I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.

I worship Thee as my first beginning, I long for Thee as my last end, I praise Thee as my constant helper, and call on Thee as my loving protector.

Guide me by Thy wisdom, correct me with Thy justice, comfort me with Thy mercy, protect me with Thy power.

I offer Thee, Lord, my thoughts; to be fixed on Thee; my words: to have Thee for their theme; my actions: to reflect my love for Thee; my sufferings: to be endured for Thy greater glory.

I want to do what Thou asketh of me: in the way Thou asketh, because Thou asketh.

Lord, enlighten my understanding, strengthen my will, purify my heart, and make me holy.

Help me to repent of my past sins and to resist temptation in the future.

Help me to rise above my human weakness and to grow stronger as a Christian.

Let me love Thee, my Lord and my God, and see myself as I really am: a pilgrim in this world, a Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch, those in authority over me or those under my authority, my friends and my enemies.

Help me to conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, apathy by fervour.

Help me to forget myself and reach out toward others.

Make me prudent in planning, courageous in taking risks.

Make me patient in suffering, unassuming in prosperity.

Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer, temperate in food and drink, diligent in my work, firm in my good intentions.

Let my conscience be clear, my conduct without fault,
my speech blameless, my life well-ordered.

Put me on guard against my human weaknesses.

Let me cherish Thy love for me, keep Thy law, and come at last to Thy salvation.

Teach me to realize that this world is passing, that my true future is happiness of heaven, that life on earth is short, and the life to come eternal.

Help me to prepare for death with a proper fear of judgment, but a greater trust in Thy goodness.

Lead me safely through death to the endless joy of heaven.

Grant this though Christ our Lord.

Amen.